<p>My DS received his full IB diploma in June of this year. Our sense is that the IB experience varies from school to school, even though it is supposed to be consistent all over the world. At DS’ public high school, IB represented the most rigorous curriculum available, as they did not offer AP classes. But the teachers and students struggled to serve two masters: The World IB Programme on the one hand, and our local school district on the other hand. Sometimes, these two entities had conflicting requirements and agendas.</p>
<p>If he had to to it all over again, I think DS would have elected to take mostly IB classes, but would have skipped the full IB diploma. One reason is that our local school’s interpretation of CAS requirements placed an undue and artificial burden on the students that created a lot of stress and frustration.</p>
<p>That said, he appears to have been well prepared for the highly selective school he now attends.</p>